If your horse is afraid of needles or injections, pulling away, barging over handlers, or even rearing or striking, I can help.
It's hard having a needle-shy horse. You worry that they won't be able to receive needed medical care, such as vaccines, sedatives for a dental procedure, or even emergency treatment. You might also feel frustrated, embarassed, or even angry when they behave this way, and you sense that your horse is struggling too. You worry that others will be hurt if you don't do something. Or perhaps that's already happened.
You love your horse, but not this needle-shy behaviour. You realize you need to take action, but generic online advice doesn't sit right with you. You worry it will make the problem worse or harm your relationship.
The good news is, it doesn't need to be this way - for either of you.
Through my online services, I can help you understand why your horse is needle-shy and how to change it, using low-stress, effective techniques that enhance your relationship and strengthen your bond.
How I can help you and your horse
Three options, your choice
Option A
Video Analysis of Behaviour
$55.00 CAD
Complete a short intake form and submit a video of your horse, and I’ll return it with a detailed, frame-by-frame analysis of my observations.
Best for owners looking for insight and answers, who don't need a 1:1 session or longer-term support.
Option B
'Behaviour Triage' Package
$189.00 CAD
This 1:1 'behaviour triage' call will provide you with answers and guidance on your horse’s behaviour.
Best for focusing on why it's happening, triage advice for emergencies if an injection is needed, and what you can do now to prevent the behaviour from worsening in the short term.
Option C
Consult & Behaviour Support Package
$588.00 CAD
This 1:1 option includes personalized plans, ongoing guidance, and follow-up support.
Best for more serious cases, when needle-shyness has been happening for a longer timeframe, or when you feel you and your horse need extended 1:1 support to address the issue.
Option A:
Video Analysis of Behaviour - $55.00 CAD
Professional insight into your horse’s needle-shy behaviour through a detailed video review.
A big part of how horses communicate is through their behaviour. This service will provide you with a professional assessment of your horse's needle-shy behaviour in a video that you submit.
The benefit of video analysis is that I can slow things down to closely observe your horse’s behaviour and the factors influencing it. For owners who feel they don't need a 1:1 consultation, this insight provides clarity and is enough to help them decide what to do next.
Before
I have you complete a short intake form and submit a video (up to 5 minutes in length), so that I can understand the background and context and provide a careful, informed assessment.
During
I’ll review your video frame by frame, recording my observations directly on the footage, so that I can show you the behaviours - from subtle to obvious - needed for a thorough, informed analysis.
After
Within 48 hours, you’ll receive the annotated video with my commentary, so that you can see exactly what I observed and understand the factors influencing your horse’s behaviour.
This option is the perfect step to take if you're looking to:
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Understand what your horse's behaviour is communicating, so that you can interpret it with more confidence
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See subtle but important details through expert, frame-by-frame analysis, so that nothing meaningful is missed
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Gain clarity about what is influencing the behaviour, so that you can decide what to do next
If this feels like the right next step for you, click the button below to begin booking. You’ll be guided through how to submit your video and complete the intake form. Once you’ve reviewed and are comfortable with the details you’ve shared, you can finalize your booking.
Option B:
'Behaviour Triage' Package - $189.00 CAD
A professional 1:1 online assessment of your horse's needle-shy behaviour + practical safety & emergency guidance
When you're struggling with a needle-shy horse, you need answers and practical advice, fast. The focus of this package will be on discovering why your horse is behaving this way, safety and triage advice for what you can do in an emergency, and how to prevent the behaviour from worsening in the short term.
Pre-call
I carefully review your intake form and any requested videos, so that our time together will be focused, efficient, and tailored to your horse's specific needs.
During the call
This groundwork helps guide a clear, structured conversation with you, so that I can pinpoint things triggering your horse's needle-shyness, tailoring my advice and recommendations to you, your horse, and your unique situation.
Before the call's end
You will have a better understanding of your horse's needle-shyness and the factors contributing to it, so that you feel confident about why it's happening and what to do next to start addressing the issue.
After the call
Within 24 hours, I’ll send you an email summary of our discussion, so that you can focus on discussing your horse during our call, without worrying about taking notes.
In short, you'll have the information you need about your horse's needle-shyness, so that you can make educated decisions for you both moving forward.
A one-off behaviour triage package is the perfect step to take if you're looking for:
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A professional assessment of your horse's needle-shy behaviour, so that you understand its triggers and factors contributing to it
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A formal risk assessment and practical safety guidance, so that you can take steps to help keep others safer
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Advice on what you can do immediately, so that you can reduce your horse's stress and prevent the behaviour from worsening.
For many owners, this clarity and immediate guidance are all they may need to begin moving forward.
If your horse's needle-shyness is more complex or long-standing, or whenever you feel you need more 1:1 support and guidance, I can recommend follow-up options tailored to your needs so that you can decide what feels right for you and your horse.
If this feels like the right next step for you, click the button below to begin booking. You’ll be guided through how to submit your video and complete the intake form. Once you’ve reviewed and are comfortable with the details you’ve shared, you can finalize your booking.
Option C:
Consult & Behaviour Support Package - $588.00 CAD
A professional 1:1 online assessment of your horse's needle-shyness + practical safety & emergency guidance + follow-up support to help you address the issue.
When your horse's needle-shyness is more complex or long-standing, you both need extra guidance and support.
This package includes an online assessment to help you learn what factors are triggering your horse's needle-shy behaviour, an action plan we create together so that you know what to do next, text/WhatsApp support after our meeting and a 30-minute follow-up meeting (within 30 days) to help with the practical implementation of the plan and to troubleshoot any issues that might arise.
Pre-consult
I carefully review your intake form and any requested videos, so that our time together will be focused, efficient, and tailored to your horse's specific needs.
During the call
I use this groundwork to guide a clear, structured conversation with you, so that I can pinpoint the things triggering your horse's needle-shyness, and tailor my advice and recommendations to you, your horse, and your unique situation.
Before the call's end
You will have a better understanding of your horse's needle-shy behaviour and the factors contributing to it, so that you feel confident about why it's happening and what to do next to start addressing the issue.
After the call
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You'll receive an emailed summary so that you don't have to worry about taking notes or forgetting important details.
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You'll have access to me via Text/WhatsApp support to address any questions you may have about your plan.
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You'll have a 30-minute follow-up meeting (bookable within 30 days) so that I can help you further make progress with your horse.
The behaviour support consult package is the perfect step to take if you're looking for:
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A professional assessment of your horse's needle-shy behaviour, so that you understand its triggers and factors contributing to it
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A formal risk assessment and practical safety guidance, so that you can take steps to help keep others safer
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Advice on what you can do immediately, so that you can reduce your horse's stress and prevent the behaviour from worsening.
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A personalized plan you can implement with your horse, so that you can start to develop your horse's comfort with injections
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Follow-up support and guidance as you navigate this challenge with your horse, so that you can both help your horse feel better and strengthen your relationship
If this feels like the right next step for you, click the button below to begin booking. You’ll be guided through how to submit your video and complete the intake form. Once you’ve reviewed and are comfortable with the details you’ve shared, you can finalize your booking.
Why choose me to help
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When horses are needle-shy, the stakes feel high. You worry about the safety of handlers and your horse, and what might happen in an emergency. You also sense that your horse is stressed, too.
Early in my career, I was taught that needle-shyness was about the horse being silly or a lack of handler leadership. Typical advice focused on just “getting it done.”
Over time, I learned that this perspective didn’t capture the full picture. Needle-shyness often has multiple causes, including past experiences, restraint procedures, and how injections occur. When I relied on force or suppression, I missed underlying factors and often made things worse.
With more experience and specialized training in clinical animal behaviour, I now approach needle-shyness differently. I focus on addressing root causes, and using low-stress, evidence-based techniques. This way, necessary care becomes safer, the horse’s welfare is protected, and lasting progress is possible.
Lauren's advice was clear, actionable, and easy to understand.
Our conversation made me feel confident about safely taking the next steps towards helping my needle-phobic mare.
Erika S. & Juno
You'll get the most out of working with me if:
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You understand that there are no ‘quick fixes’ to overcoming needle-shyness in horses as part of this process involves you learning new ways to help your horse.
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You don’t want a cookie-cutter approach sold in volume! You want to work one-on-one with a professional who will understand you both as individuals, while guiding and supporting you to address your horse’s issue
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You appreciate that the best results come from working with a professional who has formally studied horse behaviour plus has decades of practical horse training experince helping horses and their owners facing similar problems.
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You want to put an end to your horse’s needle-shyness in a way that is still kind while being effective.
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You dream of understanding your horse more deeply and knowing what they’re trying to communicate to you.
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You understand that while working together online has its challenges, consistently applying the strategies and recommendations I will provide will give you and your horse the best chance for meaningful, lasting progress.
Simple steps
to see a change in your horse.
Choose your service
Whether you need quick answers or more long-term support and guidance, I'm here for you and your horse. If you aren''t sure what might be best for your situation, just send me a message.
+ we work together
No matter where you are in the world, I can help. Working together online, I'll determine why your horse is behaving this way, and guide you towards kind, effective solutions to the problem.
= progress & partnership
In additon to addressing your horse's unwanted behaviour, the methods I use and recommend will reduce your horse's stress, enhance their quality of life, and strengthen your relationship.